In this episode of “Humble Beginnings,” we sit down with Deb Alderson, CEO of ViaPath Technologies, as she shares her upbringing in Norfolk, Virginia, and how she’d later turn every challenge into an opportunity.
Deb was raised by her mother and grandmother in a farming community near a military area, where she learned early lessons in hard work, giving back and breaking barriers. She was the first woman in her family to earn a college and a graduate degree.
From starting as a GS4 clerk typist without knowing how to type to rising in male-dominated defense and tech, Deb shares candid stories of early setbacks, hard lessons from mentors and the moments that shaped her leadership. Today, she leads ViaPath with a mission to change lives for incarcerated individuals and their families, proving that empathy, transparency and grit drive real impact.
Tune in to hear how Deb’s upbringing, family values and unshakable resilience propelled her from humble beginnings to the C-suite — and why she believes there truly is no glass ceiling.